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A review by thereadingrunnner
In the Shadow of the Mountain: A Memoir of Courage by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado
3.0
I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
I was really excited to receive a copy of this memoir. Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, in her quest for healing and subsequently giving back to others, spearheaded an organization geared towards helping victims regain their internal strength through mountainous climbing adventures. There are definite triggers in her story so take heed - sexual abuse, alcoholism, suicide and severe depression. As enlightening as Silvia is - so admirable and a true warrior, I had a difficult time wanting to pick this up and read. The depression in it felt crippling to me and I didn't want to feel those feelings. I think this is a testament to her writing that I felt her aching depression, but your mental game better be in a good spot to tackle this one. While her climbing does play a drastic role in her overcoming, I wish I felt more of the power of that "I made it, I'm going to be ok" mentality but it wasn't there for me. I felt even the summit had a bit of sadness to it as Silvia makes her offering at the top.
I love nature and while I am not a climber, I could definitely relate to how her adventures in reaching the summit and leading a group of women to base camp as a means to gain inner strength and help heal is truly a process that works. I believe any endurance event whether it be climbing, triathalons, marathons, hiking, etc can tap into a feeling of self confidence and strength people don't realize they have inside of them.
This is also a story of coming into forgiveness. In order to heal, Silvia has to learn to forgive - her parents, herself - it is only through forgiveness and compassion that we can truly heal and rise above. It is one of the most difficult things and seeing (reading) how Silvia is able to do this is inspiring. One can continue to blame people for their circumstances, or rise above in spite of them. Silvia takes the brave route and ultimately is able to rise above.
I was really excited to receive a copy of this memoir. Silvia Vasquez-Lavado, in her quest for healing and subsequently giving back to others, spearheaded an organization geared towards helping victims regain their internal strength through mountainous climbing adventures. There are definite triggers in her story so take heed - sexual abuse, alcoholism, suicide and severe depression. As enlightening as Silvia is - so admirable and a true warrior, I had a difficult time wanting to pick this up and read. The depression in it felt crippling to me and I didn't want to feel those feelings. I think this is a testament to her writing that I felt her aching depression, but your mental game better be in a good spot to tackle this one. While her climbing does play a drastic role in her overcoming, I wish I felt more of the power of that "I made it, I'm going to be ok" mentality but it wasn't there for me. I felt even the summit had a bit of sadness to it as Silvia makes her offering at the top.
I love nature and while I am not a climber, I could definitely relate to how her adventures in reaching the summit and leading a group of women to base camp as a means to gain inner strength and help heal is truly a process that works. I believe any endurance event whether it be climbing, triathalons, marathons, hiking, etc can tap into a feeling of self confidence and strength people don't realize they have inside of them.
This is also a story of coming into forgiveness. In order to heal, Silvia has to learn to forgive - her parents, herself - it is only through forgiveness and compassion that we can truly heal and rise above. It is one of the most difficult things and seeing (reading) how Silvia is able to do this is inspiring. One can continue to blame people for their circumstances, or rise above in spite of them. Silvia takes the brave route and ultimately is able to rise above.